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Wild Inks Haula To Entry-Level Deal

Sunday, 04.07.2013 / 11:28 AM
Wild.com

The Minnesota Wild has locked up another talented Finnish forward. The Wild has signed forward Erik Haula to an entry-level contract. The former University of Minnesota star is flying to Houston today and will join the Aeros, the Wild’s American Hockey League affiliate.

The 22-year-old collected 51 points (16-35=51), a plus-20 rating and 14 penalty minutes (PIM) in 37 games during his junior season at the University of Minnesota. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound native of Pori, Fin., served as an alternate captain and led the Gophers in points, assists and plus-minus rating and ranked second in goals. He ranked second in the NCAA in assists and tied for fourth in scoring and was named to the 2012-13 All-WCHA Second Team and the All-WCHA Academic Team. Haula led Minnesota and ranked ninth in the nation in scoring with 49 points (20-29=49) in 43 games in 2011-12 to help the Gophers advance to the NCAA Frozen Four. He tallied 24 points (6-18=24) in 34 games during his freshman season and ranked tied for first on the team in assists and third in scoring.

Haula collected seven points (4-3=7) in six games for Finnish players at the 2011 World Junior Championship. He helped Finland claim the bronze medal at the 2009 Under-18 World Championship totaling four points (3-1=4) in six games. Haula also played for Finland at the 2008 Under-18 World Championship and recorded four points (1-3=4). He notched 84 points (26-58=84) and 46 PIM in 53 games with Shattuck-St. Mary’s during the 2008-09 season.

He was originally selected by Minnesota in the seventh-round (No. 182 overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL Mobile name and logo, NHL GameCenter and Unlimited NHL are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams.